GBCA Discussion Forum

I'd like to hear of any significant damage to boats during the blow at the end of Rum Race #7.  I saw one boat pull in at the Blue Marlin with a shredded main, but could not pick out the name.

Strangely, Sea Gypsy's house battery failed shortly after turning on our running lights.  Unrelated to the winds and sea I think, just chose that moment to develop a bad cell.  I was afraid to switch to "combine" on my VSR to drive the lights off the starting battery for fear that the bad battery would draw down the good starting battery or maybe start a fire with power from the alternator.  So that was us shining flashlights in your eyes on the way in the channel to be seen.  I need re-think emergency power to the running lights, navigation systems, bilge pumps, etc for just such an event.  Maybe re-install an old-fashioned "1-2-both-off" battery switch as a bypass to the VSR so either battery could run all services, but isolating the bad battery.

Other boats with issues?

Anyone looking for a ride on Rum Race #8 September 26, and doesn't mind finishing near the back of the Club Spinnaker class is welcome to sail with Sea Gypsy.  I can take 2 or ideally 3.
Capt. Bill Jenko
832-244-4096

I would like to suggest to the GBCA race management that they set up a RaceQs Public Regatta Broadcast of the races http://raceqs.com/pro-regatta-broadcast/.  My understanding from the RaceQs website is that this allows the committee and the public to view the race in real time with a 5 minute delay from any computer with an internet connection.  And it is free. This seems like it would be valuable for our friends and family to watch the race in near-real time, and also give them adequate notice of when we will be back at the dock.

Thanks
Capt. Bill Jenko
S/V Sea Gypsy

S/VSea Gypsy is looking for crew for the Icicle Series beginning Jan 5, 2019.  Sea Gypsy is a 1978 Cheoy Lee 38 sloop with an asymetric spinnaker that sails in the Cruising Club Handicap fleet.  We finished the 2018 Rum Series in 4th place overall, missing out of a 3-way tie for second overall by a single point.  Sea Gypsy is a heavy cruising boat, comfortable in a seaway, but not an  ultra-light rocket like the J-boats, but she can be deceptively fast when the wind goes north of 20 knots, and the rest of the fleet is hopelessly overloaded.  If you are interested in crewing this year, please contact Bill Jenko at bj@billjenko.com, or call 832-244-4096.  No prior experience necessary.

Sea Gypsy #3371 finished at 14:36:37

Bill Jenko